Google Pixel 7a Screen Replacement
Note that any repair may compromise your phone's water resistance.
- This guide was authored by iFixit staff and is not endorsed by Google. Learn more about our guides here.
- The following steps will help you remove or replace a broken screen on your Google Pixel 7a, which includes calibrating the display's fingerprint reader.
For genuine Google replacement screens with pre-installed fingerprint readers, no additional calibration is needed. However:
- If your replacement screen does not have a pre-installed fingerprint reader, you'll need to transfer the original reader and recalibrate it to retain functionality.
- You will also need replacement screen adhesive for this repair.
Step 1 | Prepare your phone for disassembly
A charged lithium-ion battery poses a safety risk, so allow the battery level to drop below 25% before proceeding.
- Disconnect all external cables from your device.
- Persistently press the power button until the screen turns off, indicating full shutdown.
Step 2 | Protect your screen
Glass shards can cause injury, making disassembly more complicated.
- Apply overlapping packing tape strips over cracked glass until entire screen is covered.
- Only stick tape to the glass; avoid attaching it to the frame.
Wear safety glasses to protect your eyes from potential glass shards during repair.
Step 3 | Soften the top edge adhesive
Risk of heat damage: be cautious when applying heat.
- Apply moderate heat to the top edge of the screen using a hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate.
- Continue until the adhesive softens and the screen becomes loose, but avoid overheating.
Do not overheat the phone - battery and plastic components are susceptible to damage.
Step 4 | Insert an opening pick
Reheat the screen if necessary.
- Suction handle to top center of screen or create a makeshift handle using strong tape.
- Insert pick no deeper than 2mm to avoid damaging front-facing camera.
Firmly press and lower the pick until it slides under the glass.
- Use a thinner object, like a Jimmy's flat edge, if pick is too thick.
- Insert pick into left earpiece speaker cutout on the side of the device.
Step 5 | Separate the top edge adhesive
Do not insert your pick more than 2 mm deep to avoid damaging the front-facing camera.
- Slide the pick gently back and forth across the top edge of the screen to loosen the adhesive.
Step 6 | Separate the right edge adhesive
Measure 3mm from the pick tip and mark it with a permanent marker.
- Do not insert the pick deeper than the marked point (3 mm).
- Slide the pick down the right edge of the frame to separate the adhesive.
Step 7 | Separate the bottom adhesive
Avoid inserting the pick deeper than 3 mm to prevent damaging the LCD panel or connectors.
- Position the pick at the bottom left corner and slide it down to release the bottom edge adhesive.
Step 8 | Separate the left edge adhesive
Do not insert the pick more than 3 mm deep to avoid damaging connectors.
- Position the pick at the top left corner to release the left edge adhesive.
Step 9 | Swing open the screen
Swing the right edge of the screen open.
Be careful not to strain the screen cable.
- Lay the screen over the left edge of the frame.
- If the front sensor gasket sticks to the screen, place it back onto the sensor in the recess of the frame. Orient the gasket so that the smaller cutout is closest to the front-facing camera.
Step 10 | Move the graphite film
Move the graphite film flap away from the screen connector.
Step 11 | Remove the screen connector cover
Use your Torx Plus driver (T3) to remove the single 2 mm screw securing the screen connector cover.
Apply constant, downward force to prevent stripping the screw.
- Remove the screw from the cover.
- Take off the cover.
Step 12 | Disconnect the screen
Use the point of your spudger or a fingernail to pry up and disconnect the screen press connector.
- To reconnect, align it over the socket and gently press down on one side until it clicks into place.
- Press down on the other side. It may take a few tries to align the connector correctly.
Step 13 | Remove the screen
The screen is fragile and can be damaged easily.
- Remove the screen.
- To handle the screen safely, grip it by its edges.
- Place the screen on a soft, lint-free cloth to prevent damage.
Step 14 | Prepare your frame for reassembly
Locate the battery under the device's frame, exposed through a small opening.
Careful not to damage it with your tool.
- Use blunt nose tweezers or your fingers to peel back the square piece of adhesive near the battery cutout.
Step 15
Remove old adhesive from screen perimeter using a tool or solvent.
- Paper towel or cloth: Gently scrape off residue.
- Cleaner or solvent: Apply sparingly to stubborn areas, then wipe clean.
Step 16
Apply a few drops of highly-concentrated isopropyl alcohol (over 90%) to the frame's perimeter using a pipette or syringe.
- Wipe away residue with a lint-free or microfiber cloth.
- If reusing the screen, repeat this step along its perimeter.
Step 17 | Apply new adhesive
Remove the screen adhesive from its backing.
- Align the exposed adhesive with the original application area.
- Apply the adhesive to the frame, below the battery cutout.
Step 18
Remove the liner from the pre-installed screen adhesive.
Hold the screen adhesive over the frame to ensure correct orientation before removing liners.
- The blue adhesive liner should face up and be positioned with the tab cutout to the left of the front-facing camera.
Step 19
Take your time aligning the adhesive with the frame.
- Peel up the right half of the large adhesive liner.
Do not remove the whole liner yet, it's very sticky and can't be moved after application.
- Hold the adhesive by its short edges with the right long edge of the liner folded back to expose the adhesive.
- Lay the right long edge of the adhesive onto the frame.
Step 20
Peel away the liner as you apply the remaining adhesive to the frame.
- Lay the adhesive slowly on the frame.
Step 21
Press the flat end of the spudger along the edges of the adhesive, securing it to the frame.
Step 22
Hold the blue liner pull tab firmly in the upper left corner.
- Slowly and carefully remove the liner by peeling it away from the adhesive.
- If the adhesive starts to peel up with the liner, re-check that it is seated correctly with your spudger. If issues persist:
- Hold the adhesive down in place with the point of your spudger as you continue peeling.
Step 23 | Install the screen
Attach the suction handle to the left side of the new screen.
- Position it so that the handle is facing left.
- Support the screen with a prop or stand on the left side of the frame.
Step 24
- Align the screen cable over the socket.
- Press one side gently until you hear a click, then press firmly to secure in place.
Step 25
- Place the screen connector cover over its designated slot on the logic board.
- Secure the screen connector cover using a T3 Torx driver with a 2 mm 3IP Torx Plus screw.
Step 26
Remove the blue liner from the square adhesive on the frame.
- Inspect the replacement screen for additional protective liners over the front camera or sensors.
- Remove any remaining liners found during inspection.
Step 27
Hold the screen about 1 inch (2.5 cm) above the
- Use a spudger to fold the graphite film flap back over the screen cable.
- Press the screen firmly into place.
Step 28
Remove the suction handle.
- Apply gentle heat to the screen using a iOpener, hair dryer, heat gun, or hot plate
- Firmly press around the perimeter of the screen to secure it to the frame.